Duplicating apparatus



NV11, .l941. R. F. MoRRlsoN DUPL'IGATING APPARATUS- Filed Aug. 31, 1940 4 Sheets-Sheet l NV 11, 1941". R. F. MORRISONv 2,262,511

-DUPLICATING APPARATUS Filed Aug. 31, 1940` 4 sheeis-sheet 2 Nov. 1,1', 41941.

R. F. MORRISON` 2,262,511 DUPLICATING APPARATUS Filed Aug. 51', 1940 44 Sheets-Sheet 5 A lwmw), f R

Nov. 1l, 1941. R. F. MORRISON I DUPLICATING APPARATUS sheetssheet 4 Filed Aug. 31, 1940 Patented Nov. 11, 1941 DUPLIGATING APPARATUS e Robert F. Morrison, Oak Park,` Ill., assignor to Ditto, Incorporated, Chicago, Ill.,

of West Virginia a corporation Application August 31, 1940', Serial No. 354,981`

12"Claims. (Cl. lOl-132.5)

invention` relates to duplicating machines `and in particular `to means for controlling the operation thereof.` I

The particular` type of duplicatingmachine shown is known as thewet processor spirit duplicator.. Such machines areusually provided `withtwo adjustments, one for adjusting the pressure between `the `drum and the` pressure roll and the other for regulating the amount of solvent that is supplied. tothe moistening means.

In devices ofA this sorta copy sheet is moistened `and fedbetween the drum and the pressure roll.

A master sheet issecured to the drum, the characters ofi-themaster sheet being written in reverse in a soluble ink. `The solvent with which the copy sheet is moistened dissolves a small` .amount of the ink `forming the characters on the master sheet. The legibility and clearness solvent supplied to. thecopy sheet and the degree of pressure between the pressure rolland the drum.

sure roll of a slightly, resilient material, and in 4order to,V secure eflicient operation of the machine and long life ofthe pressure rollit is de- .sirable to relieve the pressure upon the pressure rollgwhile the machineisnotin use.

The moistening means employed in certain 'p types .of machines require priming.` rThe priming lmeans in the machine herein described is apart of. the solvent .regulating means. In machines orf` this type itis desirable to .perform .the priming operation manually `inasmuch as over `priming I I i will ruin thewmaster sheet. a

An .bjet lofmyinvention is to pro-vide, m` provedlmeans `for controlling the operation of a wetprocessduplicating machine.`

`A. further object is to provideimproved` means x for causing the release of the pressure between `the `pressure roll and the drum chine is 1 not inoperation.`

whilethe ma- .A-further object isto provide improved means for controlling theiamount of solvent supplied tothe moistening means. I

' `A'Jstill further object is to? provide Ameans whereby `the priming operation must be performed `manuallyY and"` whereby operation lof the machine isfprevented" whenl the solvent `control means is adjusted forpriming.

" Another object is to prevent `cfperation "of the (machine wh en the adjusting meanstherefor is not, set for: proper operation ofthe machine.

`of the characters formed onthe copy sheet are `deternfiined in large measure by theramount of The drum may bemadeof metal andthe pres- Referring4 now to the drawings in which like reference Vnumerals represent like parts- Fig. 1 is a sectional elevationthrough a duplicating machine `which represents a preferred embodiment of my invention; f V- Fig. 2 is "a sectional elevation along theline 2--2 of Fig. l;

l'ig. 3 `isa broken end elevation taken along the line 3`3 of Fig. 2; I A

Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic representation of the `control means and ofthe electric circuit forming a part thereof; I

Fig; 5 is` a sectional elevation similar to Fig. 1

`but showing `only aportion thereof in detail, certainH elements being omitted for `the purpose of clarity?. .I p I Fig. 6 isa detailed section taken along the line 6'-E `of Fig. 5 showing. the liquid regulating means;` l Fig. 7 `is a detailed. section taken along the line 1-1 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 8 is a detailed section .taken along line 8-8` of Fig. 5 showing the pressure regulating means; I

Fig. 9 is an enlarged sectional elevation taken along the line 9--9 of Fig. 2;- and Fig. l0 is an elevationof a portion of `themachine taken along line I UI 0 of Fig. 1;

`Reference numeral `I I `indicates the side frame [members of a duplicating machine which is also providedwithafrontframe member I2 and a rear frame.v member I3. A drum I4 is suitably journalled `in the side frame members of the machine. `A pressure roll1 I5 is mounted for cooperation` with the drum. A moistening and upper feed roll I6 maybe. suitablyjournalled in the side ,frames of, the. machine.` A lowerfeed roll Il-is suitably mounted for. cooperation therewith.

A moistenentindicated generally by reference ,numeral I8, is suitably mounted adjacent the up- 'I `per 1feed roll and moistening roll and serves to .apply a` thin lm of moisture tothe surface of that roll.

The moistener may be any oneof `a number of types, `the one being `shown herein being of the! type` in which solvent` is sprayed directly onto the feed roll by meansA of a `pump ZI and in which a felt .I9 is `used to distribute` the .solvent overthe face of` the rotating feed roll.

`A tanklZIl is provided `at the rear. portion of the lmachinerin which the pump 2| is mounted. The `.pump Vi plunger `22 extends upwardly from the tank, said plunger being adaptedto be raised, by

means hereinafter` described, on its` inoperative strokelandbeing provided with a spring, indi- "catedwat 22a, to urge the `plunger' downwardly for its operative stroke. A conduit 23 leads from the pump 2I to the moistener I8. The tank is provided with a filling pipe 24 and a liquid level gauge 25.

A feed tray 26 is positioned over the tank at the rear end of the machine and a receiving tray 21 is mounted at the front end of the machine.

A motor 28 is suitably mounted at the rear end of the machine and is provided with a pulley 29 over which a belt 39 passes to drive the pulley 3|. A pulley 32 associated with pulley 3I drives pulley 34 by means of belt 33. A pinion 35 is aixed to pulley 34 and meshes with gear 36 which is affixed to the drum I4. A gear 31 is associated with the drum and drives an intermediate pinion 38 which in turn meshes with a pinion 39 which is secured to the upper feed roll I6 so that the feed roll may be driven from the drum. Suitable intermittent driving means may be interposed between the feed roll and the gear 31 or between the gear 31 and the drum so that the feed roll may remain stationary during a portion of the drums rotation in order that the copy sheets may be positioned with respect to the drum. Such intermittent driving means are not a part of this invention and are not disclosed herein.

The reduced end of the pressure roll I is journalled in a bearing 48 which is carried on a pivoted arm 4I as shown in Figs. 1 and 9. Both ends of the pressure roll are similarly mounted and the corresponding pivoted arms 4I are connected by a cross member 42 which is provided intermediate its ends with a downwardly extending portion 43 carrying a notched collar 44 at its lower extremity. A washer 45 cooperates with the notched collar 44 and is mounted on a stud 46. A coil spring 41 surrounds the stud and is confined between the washer 45 and the adjusting nuts 48. 'I'he stud which passes through the coil spring and the collar 44 is mounted at one end on a sleeve 49.

An eccentrically mounted shaft 50 is suitably journalled in the side frame members II by means of the journals 5I, as shownin Fig. 8. A manually operated knob 'I3 is secured to the eccentric shaft 50 exteriorly of the side frame member II and is provided with a pointer 52 which cooperates with indicia 53 formed on the. side frame member II. It will be seen that rotation of the knob 13 so that the pointer progresses from the O point, as indicated by the indicial in Fig. 9, in the clockwise direction, will cause rotationof the eccentric shaft in such a manner as to drawthe sleeve 49 to the right, as viewed in Fig. 9, against the compression of spring 41 whereby an increased force is exerted on the lever comprising the collar 44 and members 43, 42 and 4I. This causes the pressure roll I5 to be resiliently urged against the drum I4 with a forcewhich is roughly indicated by the cooperation of the pointer 52 and the indicia 53.

The operation of the electric motor is controlled by a suitable switch or contact means 54 which, as shown in Fig. 7, is secured to the side frame II by means of a mounting member 69. This switch may be one of a number of types but I found thatsatisfactory results are obtained by the use of that switch which is sold under the trade-name Burgess Micro Switch. The switch 54 is providedr'with an actuating plunger 55 which is biased upwardly and outwardly from the switch proper to a closed circuit position. An actuatingarm 56 is suitably pivoted on a stud 51 and is provided with a horizontal extension 58 which cooperates with the plunger 55 so that when the arm is depressed against the tension of the spring 59 the motor circuit will be opened. The spring 59 normally biases the actuating arm 56 to closed circuit position.

The lower feed roll I1 is suitably journalled in a bearing 69, as shown in Fig. 1, which is carried on a pivoted arm 6I. A link 62 is associated with the arm 6I and is provided with a slot 63 therein which cooperates with a stud 64 extending inwardly from the side frame member II so that the motion of the link is conned to a more or less longitudinal direction. A spring 65 has its upper end secured to a stud or tie rod 66 and has it slower end secured to a member 61 which is mounted at the lower portion of the link 62. The member 61 is provided with a plurality of slots so that the tension of the spring 65 may be regulated to urge the lower feed roll against the upper feed roll with a predetermined force.

A pin 10 is provided on link 62 which is engaged by a projection 1I extending outwardly from the eccentric shaft 50 or from the reduced end portion 5I thereof. When the pointer is turned from the O position, as indicated in Fig. 9, to the R or release position the projection 1I comes into contact with the pin 10 and urges the link 62 downwardly so as to release the pressure on the lower feed roll, and at the same time the member 61 or the lower portion of the link 62 bears on a stud 12 so as to cause the actuating arm 56 on which the stud 12 is mounted to be depressed. This opens the motor circuit. It will be seen consequently that when it is desired to shut off the motor that the pressure dial is rotated to the release position and this automatically causes the release of pressure on both the pressure roll I5 and the lower feed roll I1.

Adjusting nuts 15 are provided at the upper end of the pump plunger 22 and a washer 16 is located on the plunger immediately below the adjusting nuts, which washer forms a bearing surface for the end of the pump lever 11. The pump lever 11 is pivoted upon a stud or tie rod 18 and the lower end of the lever terminates in a roller 19, as shown in Fig. 9. A forwardly extending actuating arm is also pivoted on stud 18 and is suitably secured to the pump lever 11, A cam rider in the form of a roller 8I is provided at the upper end of the actuating arm and cooperates with a cam 82 which is secured to the drum. It will be seen that with every revolution of the drum the cam 82 will cause the cam roller 8I and the pump lever 11 to be gradually rotated in the clockwise direction, thereby elevating the pump plunger 22. At a predetermined point in the drums rotation the drop portion 14 of the cam 82 will permit the spring which is associated with the pump plunger 22 to force the plunger downwardly and supply a measured amount of solvent to the moistener I8. The quantity of solvent thus supplied is determined by regulating the length of the pump stroke.

As indicated in Fig. 6, a stub shaft 83 is journalled in a boss 84 of the side frame I I and a cam 85 is secured to the stub shaft. The substantially spirally shaped surface of the cam cooperates with the roller 19 to limit the clockwise rotation of the pump lever 11, as shown in Fig. 9. This in turn limits the extent to has revolved three or four times.

which the pumpplunger may drop after the -roller 8| has dropped off the drop portion 14 of Vthe cam 82. The operative portion` of the surface ofi cam 85 terminates at one` end in a projection 86 which, as `shown -in the -fullline position in Fig. 5, limitsthe counterclockwise `rota'- tion of the cam B5. The other end ofthe operative portion of the cam surface terminates in a detent 81 which, as shown in the dotted line position in Fig. 5,` serves to limit the clockwise rotation of the cam 85. In the full line position the pump plunger `is raised to a posi-` tion wherein the stroke is negligible and in which no `solvent will be supplied to the moistener I8.

In the dotted `line position,chowever,` the pump arm 11 is lowered so as to permit the pump to operate with `full stroke, thereby supplying a maximum amount of solvent 'to the moistener. A manually actuated knob 88 is'secured tothe stub` shaft 83 exteriorlylof the side frame Il and carries a pointer` 89 which cooperates Wtih indicia 90 formed on the side lframe member to indicate generally the position `or" the cam 95 and the length of the pump stroke. i

During normal operationof the machine the roller 19 contacts the intermediate spirally shaped portion ofthe cam surface 85. However, after the `machine hasV been standing idle for some time it is necessary to prime the same and this may be effectedby turning the knob 88 and pointer 89 to the "P orpriming position. Rotation of the knob back and forth from the Pf position will cause the roller19 to ride inand out of the detent portion 81, thereby causing reciprocation of the `pump lever 11 and the pump plunger 22.

is in the priming position that the pump willv be operated at its full stroke thereby `flooding the l moistening means and ruining the master sheet unless the motor is again shut off afterthe drum Y To obviate vthis dicultylthe cam` contactthe horizontal `extension 58 of r.the switch 'actuating arm 56.` The projectionl 9| is so posi--` 92 by means of conductors 94. A lamp 93V is also connected across the lead lines in parallel with the motor and serves as an indicator. The switch `54 is in series with both the lamp and the motor and is connected to one of the lead lines by conductors 95.` Reference to Fig. 4 will indicate the relationship of these parts to each other, as well as `to the manually rotatable control shafts 5|! and 83 and their associated switch actuating means.

As indicated in Figs. l and 10, the lamp 93 may be positioned beneath a housing 96 and a sight glass or lens 91 provided so that the circuit condition will be apparent to the operator.

A handle 98 may be provided for the actuation of the master sheet gripping means through the intermediation of the expanding cams 99. A

A few of such manual priming strokes will be sufficient lto condition the mois- 85 is pro`- n `vided witha` projection 9| `which is adapted to master `sheet feed-tray limay also be provided for cooperation with saidgripping means: `The details of this mechanism are notapart of this invention but are described in detail in Patent No. 2,195,491 issued April 2, 1940, to Alfred Marchev. i, i

Certain types of duplicating machines are pro-- vided with a clutch between the motor `andthe drum. In such instances it may be` desirable to associate clutch disengaging means with 1 the actuating arm 56 rather than the switch 54as shown herein. In other instances it maybe desirable to provide a hand crank operated mae chine with such a clutch in combination with the control means herein disclosed. While there have been `shown and described certain embodiments of the invention, `it is to be understood that it is capable of many modifications. Y Changes, therefore, may be made Without departing from the scope ofthe invention-as described in the appended claims, in which it is theA intention to claim all novelty `inherent'` in the invention as broadly as possible, in jvievwof the prior art. Iclaim: 1. A wet process duplicatingmachine comprising a drum, a co-acting pressure rollya spring to urge said pressure roll into contact with` said drum, a motor for rotating `said drum, a switch for sai-d motor and common control means for v relaxing the tension on said spring-and for actuating said` switch so that the pressure between said pressure roll andsaid drum-is automatically released when said motor is turned off. Y

2. A duplicating machine comprising a drum,

Idriving means therefor, a co-acting pressure roll,

feed rolls, means to urge saidfeed` rolls into lcontact with ea-ch other, and means for regulating the pressure between said drum and said pressure roll, said means being operable to separate said feed rolls `from each otherand tocause said driving means to be rendered linoperative `when l set to a position wherein the pressure exertedby vmeans therefor, `moistening means, a pumpV opsaid pressure roll on said drum is relieved.

3. A duplicatingV machine comprising a drum, driving means therefor,- moistening means, primingmeans` for said moistening means, an-dcontrol means torender said driving means inoperative during operation of said priming means.

4. A duplicating `machine comprising driving erated ,by said driving means, said pump includ.- inga reciprocating plunger, means for regulating the extent of reciprocation of said plunger, and means for rendering said driving means inoperative when said regulating means is set for the maximum plunger stroke.

5. A duplicating machine comprising a moistening means, a pump for sup-plying solvent to said moistening means, `a plunger for said pump, a rotatable cam, means for rotating said cam, means actuated by said cam for causing reciprocation of said plunger, manually controlled means engaging said plunger for limiting the extent of said reciprocation, and means engaged by said manually controlled means for rendering said driving means inoperative when said control means is set to permit full stroke of said means associated with said manual means to render said automatic means inoperative when said manual meansl is set in a given predetermined position.

7. Moistening means for a duplicating machine comprising a moistening roller, liquid retaining means associated with said roller for maintaining a body of liquid in contact therewith, means including a pump for supplying liquid to said liquid retaining means, said pump comprising a plunger, a spring for actuating the operative stroke of said plunger, a pivoted member engaging said plunger for actuating the inoperative stroke thereof, automatic means for oscillating said pivoted member, manual means for oscillating said pivoted member, said manual means being so positioned as to engage said pivoted member and to regulate the amplitude of oscillation thereof when oscillated by said automatic means, and means for rendering said automatic means inoperative, said last named means being actuated by said manual means when said manual means is set to a position wherein it exercises no effective regulation over ythe oscillation of said pivoted member.

8. A duplicating machine comprising a drum and co-acting pressure roll, moistening means for copy sheets, means for regulating the pressure between said pressure roll and said drum, means for regulating the amount of solvent supplied to said moistening means, a motor for said duplicating machine, a switch in circuit with said motor, said switch being normally in closed circuit position, 'and means to operate said switch to open circuit position when said pressure regulating'means is set to minimum pressure, or when said solvent regulating means is set to maximum solvent supply.

9. A duplicating machine comprising a drum and a co-acting pressure roll, a moistening and feed roll disposed adjacent the bite of said drum and pressure roll, a co-acting feed roll resiliently urged against said moistening and feed roll, means for regulating the pressure between said pressure roll and said drum, means for regulating the amount of moisture supplied to said moistening and feed roll, a source of power for driving said duplicating machine, means for disconnecting said machine from said source when either of said regulating means are set in certain positions, and means for separating said feed rolls when said pressure regulating means is set in power disconnecting position.

10. In a power driven wet process duplicating machine having solvent regulating means, pressure regulating means and power disconnecting means, control means comprising a member actuated either by setting said pressure regulating means to pressure release position or by setting said solvent regulating means to maximum solvent supply posit-ion to engage said power disconnecting means to operate the same.

11. A duplicating machine comprising a drum, a feed roll, driving means for said drum and said roll, a pressure roll for cooperation with said drum, a spring for urging said pressure roll against said drum, a second feed roll resiliently urged against said first feed' roll, means for rendering said driving means inoperative, a member associated with said second feed roll and extending into proximity to said last named means, and manually adjustable means for regulating the tension of said spring and adapted, when adjusted to minimum tension, to engage said member to retract said second feed roll from contact with said rst feed roll and to engage said inoperative rendering means whereby said 'drum and first feed roll may be stopped only after the release of the pressure exerted thereon by their respective contacting rolls.

12. A duplicating machine comprising a drum, a combined moistening and feed roll and means for supplying a lm of solvent of regulated thickness to said combined moistening and feed roll, said means including a reciprocable pump plunger, driving means for said drum, said roll and said plunger, a pressure roll for cooperation with said drum, a spring for urging said pressure roll against said drum, a second feed roll resiliently urged against said combined moistening and feed roll, means for rendering said driving means inoperative, a member associated with said second feed roll and extending into proximity to said last named means, manually adjustable means for regulating the tension of said spring and adapted, when adjusted to minimum tension, to engage said member to retract said second feed roll from contact with said combined moistening and feed roll and to engage said inoperative rendering means, and second manually adjustable means for regulating the amplitude of reciprocation of said plunger and adapted, when adjusted to maximum amplitude, to engage said inoperative rendering means.

ROBERT F. MORRISON. 

